Cricket

Gambhir, Johnson, Unadkat React to Being Bought in IPL Auction

By Rohan Pathak

January 30, 2018 at 01:04 PM IST

Fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat became the most expensive domestic player at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Bengaluru on Sunday, 28 January, when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 11.5 crore, even as several big international names remained unsold.

The former IPL champions bought the 26-year-old from Saurashtra after beating off a stiff challenge from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Manish Pandey and Lokesh Rahul were the most expensive Indians on the opening day of the auction on Saturday, as they were sold for an identical price of Rs 11 crore. Pandey was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad while Punjab secured Rahul's services.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes became the most expensive player at the IPL auction for the second year running, when he was taken by Rajasthan for Rs 12.5 crore during the opening day of the auction on Saturday.

Surprisingly, Unadkat was more expensive than even star New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult, who was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 2.2 crore.

Unadkat was the second highest wicket-taker during last year's IPL. Representing Rising Pune Supergiant, the 26-year-old had claimed 24 wickets in 12 games at a strike rate of 11.4.

He was also adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ during India's 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series last month. He had claimed four wickets over three matches in that series.

On Sunday, Punjab and Chennai were the initial front runners to secure Unadkat's services. The two teams engaged in a bidding war that saw his value escalate to Rs 11 crore from a base price of Rs 1.5 crore. But Rajasthan made a late bid to sweep the pacer away.

Former Kolkata Knight Rider captain Gautam Gambhir has moved to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 2.8 crore.

Take a look at some of the players reacting to being bought in the IPL Auction 2018.

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

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